Offering Children Lunch And A Bit More

When school lets out for summer, many children miss more than their teachers and classmates -- they miss a meal.

To fill the lunch gap, the Connecticut Anti- Hunger Coalition, a division of the Connecticut Association for Human Services, offers a summer lunch program throughout the state.

The lunch program is available at some city parks, camps and other summer programs, social services agencies, schools and recreation and community centers.

On Friday, the coalition was at Sigourney Square Park, feeding and entertaining area children.

``We're trying to increase awareness about the program,'' project coordinator Shannon Wilson said. ``It's an excellent way to make sure children get the proper nutrition they need.''

The coalition began its summer lunch program with festivities last year. This year, Tamu-Likundu, or Sweet Magic, a dance troupe from the Hartford Neighborhood Centers, performed modern, jazz and tap routines. Also, participants in the Hartford Conservatory's summer youth program brought some tranquility to busy Sigourney Street with a few classical selections.

The Summer Food Service Service Program for Children is operated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Friday's event was presented by the coalition, the city Department of Human Services recreation and youth division and the state Department of Education.

After lunch, children ran over by the swings to have flowers, hearts or animals painted on their faces. Others ran through the sprinklers to keep cool or got tips on their hoop skills at the basketball clinic. Some children followed Mr. Broccoli, Mr. Fish or Mr. Milk as they made their rounds through the park.

Sitting down to eat lunch, Deval Little, 5, of Sargeant Street, had a brown mustache, remnants of the Ben & Jerry's brownie bar he had eaten before he got his turkey sandwich.

Isn't the sandwich supposed to come first?

``I eat what I like most,'' he said. ``Turkey's good, ice cream's better.''

Apparently he and Mayor Michael P. Peters are of the same mind. Peters, who was on hand to welcome the crowd, said he wasn't planning to partake of the turkey.